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Glossary

This glossary contains an alphabetical list of Buddhist terms that you may find on this website. Many of the terms now include phoneticized Sanskrit (Skt) as well as two forms of Tibetan—the phonetic version (Tib), which is a guide to pronunciation, and transliteration using the Wylie method (Wyl). Search for the term you want by entering it in the search box or browse through the listing by clicking on the letters below. Please see our Content Disclaimer regarding English terms in LYWA publications that may be outdated and should be considered in context.

eternalism

drodog kyi ta (Tib); sgro 'dogs kyi lta (Wyl)

The belief in the inherent existence of things, as opposed to nihilism; one of the two extremes.

example clear light

pä ö sel (Tib); dpe’i ’od gsal (Wyl)

The indirect conceptual realization of emptiness while visualizing oneself as the deity; the impure illusory body, one of the final stages of completion stage Highest Yoga Tantra immediately preceding the attainment of meaning clear light in union with the pure illusory body. This leads to the unification of no more learning and enlightenment. See also clear light and union of clear light and illusory body.

faith

There are three kinds: 1) believing, or pure-hearted, faith; 2) lucid, or understanding, faith, which is faith based on logical conviction; and 3) yearning, or aspirational, faith.

five buddha types

[gyel pa] rig nga (Tib); [rgyal ba] rigs lnga (Wyl)

They are Vairochana, Ratnasambhava, Amitabha, Amoghasiddhi and Akshobhya. Each of the five types, representing a different aspect of enlightenment, is linked to the fully purified aggregates of form, feeling, discriminative awareness, compositional factors and consciousness. Lama Zopa Rinpoche advises that type is the correct translation of the Tibetan term rig, rather than family, lineage or Dhyani Buddhas. Read Rinpoche’s explanation here.